Winter camping

[Kyohte]

Hammocks are great, unless you camp above the tree line or in the desert. Typically you will want an underblanket, not a thermorest. They slide around too much.

On the ground I use a thermorest trail light down to about 10F.

[RWBlue]

I refuse to camp in the summer. Too hot and too many bugs.

Winter camping is great. Temps in the 70s, cool nights into the 60s. Rain is rare, and all of the mosquitos go home.

I just wish fire ants would go away too...

Not fair. Not really winter.

[RWBlue]

Not sure what state the OP is in but for those of us that live where all four seasons exist,.

Northern VA, I don't get out as often as I would like. I think I am losing my camping skills a little at a time. Finding a spot away from people is an issue. I never liked State Park camping. Just too many people, with too much access to their car/trucks bringing too much stuff that makes noise.

So I drive some, then get on a bicycle and ride away from the world. I have a trailer on the bicycle so I can carry all the normal touring/camping gear and then some. It is not without limits, but if you can carry it on your back, I can take it with me.

I was out last weekend in temps in the low 40s. I was not cold. I had issues getting comfortable... I think I could fix the sleep comfort issues. The area was very damp. We had heavy fog in the night and into the morning.



I think I have all the gear I need, I just haven't put it to use in the cold.
My tent is a Big Agnes. Basically a bug net with a tarp over it. This is a weak spot for winter camping, but it should get me along until I decide if I want to invest in a WINTER tent.

I have been using an altoids tin alcohol stove. It is small light weight, doesn't leave crap on pots and pans.
I have an old MSR burn everything stove. It is great and horrible. It leaves black soot on everything.
I have access to wood. I am very tempted to pick up a Vargo Titanium Hexagon.
I have and Iso/propane head on order. If I actually want to "cook" and it might be the best option for traveling and hiking/bicycling. I have heard one trick is to keep the tank warm. So the altoids tin combined with this is an option.

I have a Big Agnes sleeping bag, with Big Agnes blow up pad that was comfortable in the 40s. I probably could go colder.
I have an other sleeping bag that is rated for colder temps and Thermarest. I have used this combo down into the 30s.

Getting water will be an issue
Right now I can get access to well water. That will go away with winter.
I could also pump water from a river though a purifier. I expect the river to freeze. I am not sure what to do about the purifier to keep it from freezing.

Snow is questionable. Winter has been cold and dry at times.

As far as water bottle, I will be using those for my bicycle. They are insolated. I should be good for 8 (24 if I start with boiling water) hours in subfreezing temperatures. I also have some Nalgene bottles and one stainless Nalgene in case I need to melt snow.

I would say that the biggest issues is that I don't have a back yard place to test anything OR any friends that want to camp in the cold.

[Wake27]

Northern VA, I don't get out as often as I would like. I think I am losing my camping skills a little at a time. Finding a spot away from people is an issue. I never liked State Park camping. Just too many people, with too much access to their car/trucks bringing too much stuff that makes noise.

So I drive some, then get on a bicycle and ride away from the world. I have a trailer on the bicycle so I can carry all the normal touring/camping gear and then some. It is not without limits, but if you can carry it on your back, I can take it with me.

I was out last weekend in temps in the low 40s. I was not cold. I had issues getting comfortable... I think I could fix the sleep comfort issues. The area was very damp. We had heavy fog in the night and into the morning.



I think I have all the gear I need, I just haven't put it to use in the cold.
My tent is a Big Agnes. Basically a bug net with a tarp over it. This is a weak spot for winter camping, but it should get me along until I decide if I want to invest in a WINTER tent.

I have been using an altoids tin alcohol stove. It is small light weight, doesn't leave crap on pots and pans.
I have an old MSR burn everything stove. It is great and horrible. It leaves black soot on everything.
I have access to wood. I am very tempted to pick up a Vargo Titanium Hexagon.
I have and Iso/propane head on order. If I actually want to "cook" and it might be the best option for traveling and hiking/bicycling. I have heard one trick is to keep the tank warm. So the altoids tin combined with this is an option.

I have a Big Agnes sleeping bag, with Big Agnes blow up pad that was comfortable in the 40s. I probably could go colder.
I have an other sleeping bag that is rated for colder temps and Thermarest. I have used this combo down into the 30s.

Getting water will be an issue
Right now I can get access to well water. That will go away with winter.
I could also pump water from a river though a purifier. I expect the river to freeze. I am not sure what to do about the purifier to keep it from freezing.

Snow is questionable. Winter has been cold and dry at times.

As far as water bottle, I will be using those for my bicycle. They are insolated. I should be good for 8 (24 if I start with boiling water) hours in subfreezing temperatures. I also have some Nalgene bottles and one stainless Nalgene in case I need to melt snow.

I would say that the biggest issues is that I don't have a back yard place to test anything OR any friends that want to camp in the cold.

Have you been up to the campsite in Gore, VA? I forget what it's called but it's pretty awesome.


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[Eurodriver]

I think the body adjusts and hardens to the cold to a large degree. When in colder temps regularly, being in a t-shirt when most are wearing jackets is common. I still get over-warm in temps most think are on the cool side. I have to say though, that closing in on geezerhood, the cold isnt quite as much fun as it used to be. Neither is sleeping on the ground.

This has to be true. I refuse to believe that every person in Florida is a wuss when it comes to the cold because of their genetics or something. It must be acclimation to warmer weather.

If you head to FL in the winter, all the locals will be in jackets, boots, and jeans when the high temps are <60*. But if you're in NY when the temps are 55* and sunny, people are in shorts and t-shirts. It probably has to do with wind and humidity too. Here, unless there is a strong (20mph+) north wind the temps will never stay 60 degrees during the day. Additionally, it's always damp and muggy even when it's very cold (50s) because the water temp is still in the 80s and never drop below 65ish.

How does that relate to this thread? I don't know. If you like camping in the winter, do it in Florida?

[Wake27]

It's very true. I lived in Iceland around 6th grade and wore a t-shirt and shorts almost year round to school. Then I moved to San Diego and now I'm in Hawaii. I'm embarrassed at how easily I get cold now.


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[Kyohte]

Have you been up to the campsite in Gore, VA? I forget what it's called but it's pretty awesome.


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There used to be one called the Cove in Gore, VA. Also there are some trails and an aderondak back in the woods, but that area may belong to the BSA camp nearby. Also if you are in NoVa there is the AT, which is usually decently quiet except when it passes near towns.

[Malamute]

Getting water will be an issue
Right now I can get access to well water. That will go away with winter.
I could also pump water from a river though a purifier. I expect the river to freeze. I am not sure what to do about the purifier to keep it from freezing.

Snow is questionable. Winter has been cold and dry at times.

As far as water bottle, I will be using those for my bicycle. They are insolated. I should be good for 8 (24 if I start with boiling water) hours in subfreezing temperatures. I also have some Nalgene bottles and one stainless Nalgene in case I need to melt snow.

As for keeping your water from freezing, a cooler or anything insulated will slow freezing down. In colder weather you use a cooler to keep your stuff from freezing, not getting too warm. A soft cooler(s) would work if you are going light. A thermos will work also, just be aware some containers dont freeze well with liquids in them. Dont fill to full capacity and it reduces the chance of breaking the container when it freezes with liquids in them.

I just expect some of my water to freeze, I melt it as needed. The 2 liter pop bottles are good in that regard, and dont seem to break if you beat them on hard things to break up the ice to get water out.

Taking a quart or two liter bottle in bed with you will melt it overnight, or keep it from freezing for morning use. Dont have to keep all of it unfrozen, just what you need in the short term. Be sure the lid is on well and not damaged from freezing liquids if taking in bed with you. Quart gatorade bottles would probably work OK.

Food the freezes isnt unusable but the texture can get funky. Canned stuff generally survived but was weird to eat.

[Malamute]

It's very true. I lived in Iceland around 6th grade and wore a t-shirt and shorts almost year round to school. Then I moved to San Diego and now I'm in Hawaii. I'm embarrassed at how easily I get cold now.

Every winter it seems the first time it hits 30 everybody is cold. In the spring when it hits 30, after being zero or 20 below, everybody is happy for the warm-up and is out in shirtsleeves.

[daddyusmaximus]

I have beef forced to winter camp more than a few times in West Germany. Sleeping in a tank with no heater is worse than sleeping outside. I liked the back deck right over the nice warm engine. Good old army sleeping bags kept me warm even when I woke up covered in snow. Kept my uniform, boots, canteen, and weapon in the bag with me. My son has that sleeping bag now and I use a newer MSS I got prior to retiring. Still kinda bulky, but warm if you put it all together. A poncho liner in the bag helps in real cold weather. These days my camping is done on a twin mattress (real mattress) in the back of my truck, under a camper shell. Cozy. My dog always goes with me and helps heat up the bed of the truck. Hell, she sheds enough to fill a down bag. (German Shepherd = German Shedder) Water in the cooler will keep it in liquid form, but I still like one canteen in the bag with me just in case.